THE local motorsports community heaved a sigh of relief after the government included them among a handful of sports allowed to resume activities under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) starting tomorrow.
National-level championship organisers such as the Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) and the Safe Aim Mutual, who run four and two-wheeled series respectively, are now preparing to start their competitions behind closed doors.
MSF series principal Adian Yein Khalid said the government's decision has been well-received by the motorsports community.
"The overall reaction has been positive, though some have expressed their concerns about what kind of restrictions will be in place," said Adian yesterday.
"We do expect changes (to meet the CMCO guidelines), and we will adhere to them.
"Regardless, everyone is just happy to get back to work."
As with other sports and activities, race organisers must adhere to strict social distancing and other rules under CMCO.
Adian disclosed that the traditional MSF Series season is now expected to run from June to November, pending approval from the authorities with all rounds scheduled at the Sepang Circuit.
The postponed opening round, initially scheduled on March 15-17, has been moved to July.
The fate of MSF's new Touge Hillclimb Series, which was scheduled to start in Negri Sembilan on April 5, however, remains in the balance.
"Our (traditional) MSF Series rounds will all be held at Sepang, so it (approval) should be okay as it is on a permanent track," added Adian.
"We are working together with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) on (possible) guidelines for our Touge Hillclimb series as it will be on a street track.
Safe Aim Mutual director Ron Hogg hopes the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship will start in June.
They have submitted the necessary paperwork to the concerned authorities.
The motorsports community, had last month, expressed their concern about races not being allowed to run post-MCO.
They feared that the local motorsports industry, which employs over 3,000 people, was at risk of collapsing if races were grounded.